Gas and liquid transfer pump



Aug. 14, 1934. s. s. EKMAN V GAS AND LIQUID TRANSFER PUMP Filed July 25, 1932 s Sheets-Sheet 1 m m Tr E m m Wm H V: B

Aug. 14, 1934. s s EKMAN 1,970,366

GAS AND LIQUID TRANSFER PUMP Filed July 25. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

3 3 5 man BY A TTORNEYS.

Aug 3 s. s. EKMAN' 1,970,366

GAS AND LIQUID TRANSFER PUMP Filed July 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5.

IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 14, 1934 GAS AND LIQUID TRANSFER PUMP Sven S. Ekman, Gottenborg, Sweden Application July 25, 1932, Serial No. 624,636 In Sweden July 31, 1931 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a method for obtaining differences in pressui-"e between two chambers filled with gas or air as when creating a vacuum in a steam engine condenser, or when comressing air to be used for some technical process or for any other desired purpose.

This invention also refers to the mechanical means for attaining the said results.

The main object of this invention is to simplify the means to accomplish the pressure difference.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for creating pressure difference of such a kind that they are able to operate at a considerablespeed thus reducing the bulk of said apparatus as Well as the costs for achieving the pressure difference.

A further object of this invention is to reduce the mechanical energy necessary for creating the desired pressure difference.

A further object of this invention is to make it possible to increase the output of the method by eliminating such parts in the operating means which are liable to reduce the volumetric e-ffi-i oiency.

Further objects and advantages of the improved method and its operating means will be clearly understood by the following description and accompanying drawings. In the description I denominate that chamb-er in which the higher pressure is present the high pressure chamber and the chamber with the lower pressure the low pressure chamber notwithstanding the absolute degree of pressures in said chambers.

Usually, pressure differences in gas or air areobtained by means of some movable mechanical apparatus such as piston pumps, rotary pumps, centrifugal pumps or the like or by means of ejectersor the like all of which consume considerable amount of energy in performing their work, which consumption affects the efficiency of the method. In contradistinction therefrom, this invention consists of a sluic-ing device by which equal amounts of the gas and the liquid are transferred, the gas body from the low pressure chamber into the high pressure chamber, and, simultaneously. the liquid body from the high pressure chamber into the low pressure chamber.

This exchange of gas and liquid in opposite 59 directions is accomplished by means of a compartrnent situated between the high pressure chamber and low pressure chamber. This 00mpartment working on the sluice principle communicates alternately with the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber, but

never with both these chambers simultaneously, and passes the gas from the low pressure chamher to the high pressure chamber, while at the same time passing an equal volume of liquid in the opposite direction 1. e. from the high pres- 69 sure chamber to the low pressure chamber. Due to the use to which the said intermediate com.- partment is put, it is hereinafter called the sluice compartment and the liquid used there-. in is called the sluice liquid,

This transfer, performed without sacrificing any mechanical pumping energy, is executed in the following manner. There is a supply of sluice liquid in the high pressure chamber. The sluice liquid is transferred to the sluice compartment, whence it passes to the low pressure chamber when this latter chamber communicates With the sluice compartment. Simultaneously a cor-- responding volume of gas is transferred from the low pressure chamber to the sluice compart- 7 ment, the said gas entering the high pressure chamber, when the latter chamber communicates with the sluice compartment. It must be remembered, however, that the supply of liquid in the high pressure chamber must be maintained by a fresh supplyof liquid, and. the sluice liquid, which has been transferred to the low pressure chamber, must be removed. Either of these tanks usually necessitates the use of a pumpingarrangementorthelikerequiring the expendi- S ture of mechanical energy, but the transfer proper of the gas from the lowpressure chamber to the high pressure chamber, 1. e. the passage through the sluice, is attained without sacrificing any pumping energy.

Three cases are conceivable. ,(l) The high pressure chamber is open to the surrounding atmosphere. In this case a vacuum will be obtained in the low pressure chamber, which there-- fore must be closed. (2) The low pressure chamher is open to the surrounding atmosphere, The pressure in the high pressure chamber in this case will be above the atmospheric pressure, and this chamber therefore must be closed. (3) Both low pressure chamber and high pressure chamber are closed. In this case both these chambers are independent of the atmospheric pressure.

The principal advantages of the present improved method may be stated as follows: There are neither suction nor pressure valves in the 105 sluice, which sluice may preferably be positively controlled for the distribution of gas and liquid, and therefore can work at great speed, thus making a large output possible; there is no piston, and consequently no clearance which reduces 11c the volumetric efliciency; the pumping energy consumed in gas pumps of known types, in the present invention, has been transferred to the liquid pump, which may be used for removing sluice liquid from the low pressure chamber or keeping the high pressure chamber supplied with sluice liquid. In this way the diiiiculties, that arise in an ordinary gas pump as compared to a fluid pump, are avoided, especially as the said fluid pump to be used in connection with the present invention usually might be a centrifugal pump. The following description shows plainly that in certain circumstances the fluid pump may be omitted altogether, which still more increases the advantages of the present invention.

The means necessary for carrying out this improved method may be of several diiierent kinds, and some few examples thereof are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figures 1 and 2, Figures 3 and 4 and Figures 5 and 6 respectively show diagrammatically three examples of how the sluice compartment and its connections with the high pressure chamber and low pressure chamber may be arranged,

Figure '7 is a cross section of an example of the means necessary for carrying out the invention,

Figure 8 is a section on the line AA in Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a cross section on the line B-B in Figure '7,

Figure 10 is a cross section on the line CC in Figure 9,

"Figure 11 is a similar View as in Figure '7 but showing a somewhat different arrangement of the parts.

In Figures 1 and 2 the high pressure chamber 1 is shown situated above the low presssure chamber 2, and separated from the latter by a partition wall 5 provided with a vertical channel, which channel constitutes'the sluice compartment 3. There is a supply of liquid reaching the level 4 in the high pressure chamber. By means of a slide valve 6 communication between the sluice compartment 3 and the high pressure chamber can be established (Figure l) or broken off (Figure 2). By means of another slide valve 7 communication between the sluice compartment 3 and the low pressure chamber 2 can be broken off (Figure 1) or established (Figure 2) as the case may be.

According to Figures 3 and 4, the high pressure chamber 1 is situated alongside the low pressure chamber 2 and separated from the latter by means of a vertical partition wall 50. A slide valve 8 is provided to slide in a port in the said partition wall 50. The sluice compartment 3 consists of a vertical channel passing right through the slide valve 8, the said channel covered by flanges 10 and 9 projecting from the partition 50 when the said slide Valve 8 is in its centre position. There is a supply of liquid reaching the level 4 in the high pressure chamber. In Figure 3 the slide valve 8 is shown moved to the left, which establishes communication between the sluice compartment 3 and the high pressure chamber 1. Figure 4 shows the slide valve 8' moved to the right, whereby the sluice compartment 3 communicates with the low pressure chamber2. r

According to Figures 5 and 6, showing vertical sections of the device at right-angles to'each other, the high pressure chamber 1 is situated above the low pressure chamber 2. A rotary valve 51 is installed between the two said chambers, and the sluice compartment 3 consists of a recess in the said valve 51. There is a supply of liquid reaching the level 4 in the high pressure chamber 1. Both Figures 5 and 6 show the sluice compartment 3 communicating with the high pressure chamber 1, but by giving the rotary valve 51 half a turn the sluice compartment 3 will be in communication with the low pressure chamber 2.

The device shown in Figures 7 to 10 serves as an airpump for a steam condenser not shown in the drawings. Then the slide valve 8 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is substituted by a cylinder-shaped drum 12 with radial partition walls 22, dividing said drum 12 in sector-shaped vertical compartments 3a, 3b etc.,'said compartments serving as sluice chambers. The drum 12 is rotatable around a stationary vertical shaft 13, and is enclosed within a casing 14 with a cover 23. Said drum 12 is driven by a pinion 26 fixed on a shaft 27, which pinion meshes with a toothed ring 25 provided on the outside of the drum 12.

In Figures 9 and 10 there is shown how the bottom, walls and cover of the casing 14 surround the drum 12 with so slight a clearance that they fit snugly against the drum. According to Figure 9 the casing 14 therefore is divided into a high pressure chamber 1 and a low pressure chamber 2. The tight portion between-casing 14 and drum 12 should comprise so large a portion ofthe circumference of the drum 12 that tightness occurs in every position of the drum 12. The low pressure chamber 2 is completely covered by the cover 23, while the high pressure chamber 1 is not covered, but is open to the. surrounding atmosphere.

7 By means of a pipe 15 the low pressure chamber 2 is presumed to communicate with the assumed condenser. The bottom of the low pressure chamber 2 is provided with a discharge pipe 19 opening below the level 11 of a liquid contained 1 in a vessel 20 with an overflow 200, thus forming a hydraulic seal. The discharge pipe 19 must be high enough to ensure that no liquid will be drawn up to fill the low pressure chamber 2 on account of the vacuum created therein. The high pressure chamber 1 is connected with a vessel 17 by means of a pipe 16. When the water from the vessel 17 enters the high pressure chamber of the casing 14, a horizontal partition wall fitting tightly against the drum forces the water along in the direction of the arrow 1), below the drum 12 and through the vertical sluice compartments communicating with the hi h pressure chamber, whereupon it collects above the cover 23 reaching a certain level 4. From here the water is discharged over an overflow 18 through a pipe 21 to the vessel 20 and finally over the overflow 299.

In Figure 11 a somewhat different embodiment of the invention is illustrated with. nearly the same details as in the embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 10 however with the following difference. The drum 12 is driven by a horizontal worm 34 meshiir with a worm wheel 35 provided on the outside of the drum 12.

The sector shaped sluice compartments in the drum are not fully open at the top but partly covered. The lower end of the hub 130 of the drum is equipped with a collar 131 against the underside of which metal plates not shown in the drawings can be pressed by means of springs, so

. leaves over the overflow 200.

air collected in the sluice compartments.

mmlicateswith the discharge from the low pressure chamber by means of a pipe 32, wherein. a centrifugal pump. 31 is installed. A part of the pipe 32 is enlarged to a chamber 30 formingv an air separator. The worm 34-; is covered by a flange 36, that fits against the outside Wall 129 of the drum 12 with a slight clearance 121. The cover 29 also covers the high pressure chamber 1 from which a discharge pipe 28 issues.

With regard to the effect of the various devices it has already been pointed out above, how'the gas and liquid change places, when the sluice chamber alternately communicates with the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber. This effect, therefore, according to Figures 1 and 2 is brought about by the slide valves 6 and 7 which are alternately opened and closed, as is illustrated in the respective figures. 1

As concerns Figures 3 and 4 the same effect is obtained by imparting a reciprocating movement to the slide valve 8 between the positions shown in Figures 3 and 4.

According to Figures 5 and 6 the same result is attained by revolving the rotary valve 51.

Concerning Figures 7 to 10 as also Figure 11 the same result is reached by revolving the drum 12, whereby each of the sector shaped sluice cor-"- partments 3a, 312 etc. in the drum will communicate alternately with the high pressure chamber l l and the low pressure chamber 2.

With regard to Figure '7 the sluice liquid flows from the vessel 17 through the pipe 16 in the direction of the arrow 11' filling the sluice compartment which communicates with the high pressure chamber 1, while the air contained in the sluice compartment concerned is forced upwards out into the open air. The sluice compartments, which thus have been'filled with liquid, however, are introduced into the low pressure chamber 2, where the sluice liquid escapes downwards, and air enters through the pipe in the direction of the arrows a taking the place of the liquid. When the sluice compartments 3a, 31) etc. during the continual revolving of the drum 12 enter the high I pressure chamber 1, the air escapes upwards, as

stated above. The sluice liquid introduced into the low pressure chamber 2 is discharged automatically through the drainpipe 19, acting as a vacuum pipe, and enters'the vessel which it The supply of liquid in the vessel 17 must be maintained, and by admitting more liquid into the sluice compartments than they consume, a surplus of water is obtained in the vessel 17, which helps to expel the This surplus of liquid is not retained by the sluice compartments but is discharged upwards over the overflow 18 to the pipe 21 and thence to the vessel 20 and over the overflow 20G. Liquid that may accompany the air from the (not shown) con denser is discharged through the vacuum pipe 19.

In the device shown in Figure 11 the discharge liquid flows from the low pressure chamber 2 to the air separator from which it is forced to 1 the high pressure chamber 1 by the centrifugal pump 31. This liquid together with any surplus liquid, that may have been admitted, then flows in the direction of the arrow b and expels the air contained in the sluice compartment concerned.' The sluice compartments thereupon are filled with sluice liquid, and the surplus liquid is discharged through the pipe 28 together with the air. The discharge of air from the sluice compartments is aided by forcing the stream of the liquid inwards towards the center of the drum when it is discharged from the upper part of the sluice compartment. By means of the centrifugal pump 31 the sluice liquid discharged from the low pressure chamber is returned to the. high pressure chamber, and this reduces the consumption of liquid. The air separator collects any air that may accompany the liquid passing through the centrifugal pump 31, which air otherwise would lower the eiiiciency of the pump.

As mentioned above, the constructional design ofthe means necessary for carrying out this invention can be modified in various respects without departing fromthe principles of the invention as disclosed in the following claims. For instance, the clearance between the drum 12 and the casing 1% may be tightened by means of special packing materials, the discharge fluid may be returned to the vessel 1'? from the vessel 20 by means of some known device for raising liquids, and a separator can be installed between the centrifugal pumps 31 and the high pressure chamher 1 in order to separate such air that possibly may have entered the circulating liquid, and so on.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I de-. clare that what 1 claim is:-

1. In sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures, and communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring aperturcs serving as gas inlet when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as discharge when communicating with said high pressure chamber, liquid transferring apertures independent of said gas transferring apertures and serving as liquid discharge when cominunicating with said low pressure chamber, and serving as liquid inlet when communicating with said high pressure chamb r, said gas transferring apertures disposed in the upper portionof the respective sluice compartments, and said liquid transferring apertures disposed in the lower portion of the respective sluice compartments.

2. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartmerits prcvided with gas transf'erringapertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transferring apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately wi h said low pressure chamber and with said. high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as gas discharges when communicating with said high pressure cham-= said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with'said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber.

3. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chambensluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transferring apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as gas discharges when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures disposed in the upper portion of the respective sluice compartments, and said liquid transferring apertures disposed in the lower portion of the respective sluice compartments.

4. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transfering apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber,

said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as gas discharges when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber, a liquid conductor between said low pressure chamber and said high pressure chamber, and a liquid pump as well as a gas separator in said conductor.

5. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transferring apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as gas discharges when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber, and a conductor for the supply of surplus scavenging liquid to said high pressure chamber.

6. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transferring apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as gas discharges when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said sluice compartments annularly disposed in a rotary pump body.

7. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transferring apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chmnber and serving as gas discharges when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said sluice compartments sector shaped and annularly disposed in a rotary pump body.

8. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transferring apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as gas discharges when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said sluice compartments annularly disposed in a rotary pump body, and said gas transferring apertures disposed in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of said rotary pump body.

9. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transferring apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as gas discharges when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said sluice compartments annularly disposed in a rotary pump body, and said liquid transferring apertures disposed remote from the axis of rotation of said rotary pump body, so as to form a flange shaped hub at the bottom of said rotary pump body.

' 10. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transferring apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as gas discharges when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said sluice compartments annularly disposed in a rotary pump body, said rotary pump body provided with teeth in cooperation with a rotary gear for the rotation of the rotary pump body.

11. In a sluicing pump for transferring of gases from a low pressure chamber into a high pressure chamber, in combination, a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, sluice compartments provided with gas transferring apertures and also provided with liquid transferring apertures which are independent of said gas transferring apertures, said sluice compartments communicating alternately with said low pressure chamber and with said high pressure chamber, said gas transferring apertures serving as gas inlets when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as gas discharges when communieating with said high pressure chamber, said liquid transferring apertures serving as liquid discharges when communicating with said low pressure chamber and serving as liquid inlets when communicating with said high pressure chamber, said sluice compartments annularly disposed in a rotary pump body and said rotary pump body rotatable around a stationary substantially vertical shaft.

SVEN S. EKMAN. 

